It’s now been over two-and-a-half years since Miranda Lambert released her last record, the Platinum-selling The Weight of These Wings. Granted, it was a double album, but it does feel like she’s about due for new music sooner than later. Last week Miranda announced she will be going on tour starting in September with an all woman lineup, which will give her some time between now and then to start working on new material, and it appears that’s exactly what she’s planning to do.

Ahead of her multiple appearances at the ACM Awards on Sunday (4-7), Miranda Lambert spoke to The Tennessean about the prospects of new music, and seemed to confirm studio time is in her immediate future, and to expect the stuff she’s working on to be bold. She also alluded that we might get to hear some of the new stuff as early as June.

“I feel like I’m taking some risks and not being afraid,”Lambert said. “I’m going into fearless mode musically and heart wise. I feel like they go hand-in-hand. I’m jumping out there and taking risks, and I feel good about it. I’m going in and we’re making it, and we’re putting it out as fast as we can … I’m happy and I’m healthy, and I’m ready to kick ass again.”

Miranda Lambert was one of the centerpieces of the 2019 ACM Awards, performing a medley of her biggest hit songs, as well as a duet with George Strait. Miranda has never lacked for awards show love. It’s been radio that has been her biggest challenge lately, with all four of her singles from The Weight of These Wings stalling outside the Top 10.

Perhaps not worrying about what radio thinks will give Miranda freedom in “taking some risks” and “not being afraid.” This could take the form of Miranda continuing her more Americana approach that we saw on The Weight Of These Wings, or bringing the more badass persona of her earlier career back into focus, kind of like she did performing her early hits on the ACMs. Or the direction of new music could be something entirely different.

Either way it sounds like we’ll be hearing something new from Miranda Lambert by early summer, whether music fans hear it on the radio or not.

51 Comments

She’s never been afraid to stretch the boundaries of her sound on previous albums; there is usually a track or two that is a little outside the box, yet still, without a doubt, Country to the core.

I do get a little nervous when artists come out and say “it’s gonna have a different sound” or something of that nature in relation to their upcoming release, but knowing Miranda’s track record of being bold AND still Country, I’m definitely not as nervous. If you aren’t evolving as a musician, you’re doing it wrong. Looking forward to this release, like all the others. 🤘🏻

“Taking risks and not being afraid” can be manifested in many different ways. A lot of Miranda detractors are taking this to mean that she’s going to do a bunch of EDM and hip-hop stuff, but it could just as well mean she’s going in a more fierce traditional direction, which right now is the trend in popular country. We really don’t know, and we’ll just have to wait and see.

Absolutely. She did post a picture of her on Instagram writing with Jack ingram and Jon Randall about six months ago in West Texas. If that’s any indication of taking more risks, I’d say she’s going more traditional. But we shall see.

In some of her recent interviews it sounds to me like she has made peace with the fact her music is done on country radio. I think this might be a GOOD thing. Many of her “compromises” towards a pop leaning sound were a direct result of trying to produce radio friendly singles. Maybe now she can focused solely on writing and recording good country songs.

I think she’s prepping people that the new stuff will have more of a pop sound. She wrote with and is touring with Maren Morris. I think she wants something that will get radio play. Why else would she duet with Aldean, basically acting as his backup singer? She seems to always latch on to what the trend is. She and Maren are a good fit. She lends some credibility to Maren and Maren might get her some airplay.

I wonder if the inclusion of Maren Morris and Elle King on her tour gives us a clue of hat direction she’s heading in. Maren posted a pic sometime last year showing her at Miranda’s place doing co writes. None of them made it in Maren’s album so maybe they’re for Miranda’s.

I wonder if we’ll see songs like Trouble in Tacoma that she wrote as the Felker affair was kicking off or are they tabled now? That could be pretty good.

Yes God please. It’s one of the reasons I just can’t get in to her music anymore. I don’t want to hear about heartbreak, how she’s a victim. Just once how about “yeah I did it. My bad. Sorry” But I don’t want the music to go backward either. But she did write with Maren. None of those songs are on Maren’s album. I just can’t get on her bandwagon. Ashley McBride-yes.

What next divorce ???? She has found her true soul mate, and she deserves this long, overdue love, and happiness. Much love, laughter and joy to Miranda and her husband. I believe some positive , up beat, happy and brilliant songs are headed our way. Here’s to you Miranda 💕🎵🎼🌼♥️🌷🎹💕❣️ we are ready🌷

Trigger, I think when you are talking about Miranda Lambert’s music, you can’t help but talk about her personal life. She pretty much lays it all out there for anyone who wants to listen. She reminds me a little bit of Loretta Lynn in that sense; Loretta told the story of her rough and tumble marriage through her songs and Miranda does the same thing. TWOTW and IG were (in my opinion) the best work she’s ever done and it’s because she was was writing about her personal turmoil. Anyone who thinks she hasn’t admitted her own faults simply isn’t listening. She drinks to much and has one night stands (Vice, Ugly Lights), she isn’t good at relationships (almost every other song on TWOTW), she rushes into relationships (Pushin’ Time), she had had her heart broken (Tin Man, Best Years of My Life).

I don’t follow the social media gossip, but so long as she keeps putting out such honest and downright good music, I don’t care about her trials and tribulations – I only care about the music she produces BECAUSE of those personal problems.

Okay fine, but I don’t want my comments sections filling up with Stan propaganda and “Oh I can’t wait until she divorces her new husband” bullshit. Yes, it’s a part of her music. But so much of this is just vile down-looking celebrity crotch sniffing.

I’m ready for new Miranda Music. As far as I’m concerned she’s never put out anything I didn’t love to listen to. I say bring us fans some good country stuff. If its about ex husbands, ex boyfriends, new husbands or no husband at all. I wouldn’t care to have a George/Miranda duet. I look for one some day.

Love Miranda. She could sing the phone book and I would listen and buy. I just think her music is so good and people can relate to it. Just like she said in her recent post.. a song isn’t a hit just because it’s played on radio , it’s a hit when people sing it back to you and she couldn’t be more right. The woman is amazing and no matter what she does I will always be a fan!!!

I think it will probably be pretty country,however I don’t think at this point anything is really a risk for her. She has carved out her audience and they are gonna pack shows regardless and her radio success has tailed off, so there is no real risk there any more. I just think this is a slogan that artists use at times, I could probably pull up a hundred quotes from artists on how they are going to mix it up or take risks on their next album. For Miranda there is no real risk any more. One thing I do wonder though is with the huge success of Kacey Musgraves all of a sudden, if we are going to see some other female singers try to emulate her style a little more. Any time there is that type of success you will see singers gravitate to a style.

She’s coming to my town in October with Pistol Annie’s, Tennile Townes and unfortunately…Maren Morris.
My kids love Miranda & the pistol annies but they don’t like Maren’s music at all. It’d be great if Miranda had McBride with her on this leg of the tour instead. I guess we could hit the concessions when she comes on…after she plays My Church of course.
Why couldn’t Miranda pick any of the great female singers who could really use the exposure? Having wannabe pop princess tag along doesn’t seem like it’s “taking risks and not being afraid”

Does anyone know why Scotty Ray wasn’t there playing with Miranda’s band. He has been there by Miranda’s side, on stage, since her very beginning. I know Scotty has had some health issues the last few years.Think his filler-in was one of Brooks and Dunn’s band members.

Our Girl Miranda best shape up(Got The Hell Out of Oklahoma) or we may not get to hear new music at the next ACM’s. She could be replaced with Adam Levine.LOL Wasn’t The Voice represented well last evening. Even Narvel and his new woman were back stage. Isn’t Adam known to be FUnnie with Blake! We did’nt see The Female Vocalist or holder of The Record of the Year sing on stage. How strange is that for an award show

Never really understood how a double album only has to sell 500,000 copies to be certified platinum.
500,000 people bought a double album, not a million.
Consumer usually pays more for a double album than a single unit release and the artist gets credited for double the sales?
Yeah those CD-Rs cost a pretty penny I guess.
What a racket.